Roger found a bicycle lying by the ger. I suspect the kids of the ger (who were in school) use it. The chain was off. No problems.

Roger tinkered around with it, fixed it and then off he went for a ride in the desert!!

The final drink of the day was something called “hormug”. We had heard about “airag” which is an alcohol made from mare’s milk. But were disappointed to find out that this is not the season for it. We need to come about three months later to taste it.

Not to worry! The host had the version made from camel’s milk ready for us! I guess this is the season for alcohol made from camel’s milk.

Hormug is made by first making yogurt from camel’s milk and then fermenting it.

It had virtually no nose, a distinctly sour (like that of sour cream) palate and a very strong earthy finish to it.

The Russians who are next door to Mongolia and had political power over Mongolia for some time has certainly had their effect on this country. You will see a lot of old Russian vehicles in the desert areas – they look boxy and have no air conditioning. You saw the gun a few posts back.

And also vodka!!

Our host – if you recollect who had gone out to shepherd in the camels – eventually came back and started pouring a clear liquid with some small ingredients – I could not figure out what they were – for us. It is called the Mongolian vodka. Made from wheat, it has a very bland taste to it.

The custom is to pour it in a bowl and give it to a guest. The guest sips whatever amount they want and then they give the bowl back to the host. The host fills it back and passes to the next guest. And this is continued till every guest has had three chances!!

I drank up a bit. Figured it would wash off that camel meat from the tea before well!!

But this is no ordinary tea. Nothing that you have ever drunk. And absolutely not for the weak of the heart or the stomach.

This tea was made using butter first and then camel’s milk. Then they pour a type of rice in it. After that, the tea is added. And then finally, they put in…. are you ready for this? … camel meat!!

Yes, we had tea from a bowl using a tea to scoop up the camel’s meat (which was very very hard) and rice from it!!

Wow!

The lady offered us some camel’s milk after we settled down. She had warmed it up and put salt in it for us to drink. Apparently, in Mongolian culture, you always accept the bowl with your right hand with your left hand touching the right elbow. And you always drink a sip. They do not mind if you do not go further than that. But it is not cool to say No when offered something to eat.

Taking no chances of offending them, I finished off the whole bowl!!

Our guide trying out the relic of a Russian gun that the nomad owns!

… to be dried and used as fuel to keep warm and cook food.

I guess everybody has customs and beliefs. Even after surviving such a hard life, the nomads believe in keeping a hacksaw near the ger door to keep the evil spirits away!!

Also note how bright the inside walls and door look with that orange color!

The size of a ger is apparently measured in “curtains”. A curtain is what is used to cover the side (round) wall of the ger. This was a one and a half curtain ger. Which is considered a big ger.

Notice also that there are no cots. Apparently, they do have cots. But this family is sleeping on the floor because they have just moved in.

Something interesting happened in the middle of all this. The lady, who was cooking got up, went to the door, opened it, looked out in the horizon and said something. The gentleman, immediately got up, put on a shirt and headed out.

We were explained that some of the camels had gone too far out. So, he went out to herd them back near to the ger.

That is the life of a nomad! Imagine having to do this in hot summers and cold winters!!

Since the family keeps moving and they are in the middle of the desert, there is no power supply. However, modern technology has made some part of their lives easier. Thanks to solar panels that they carry with them, they have a TV and a refrigerator!

Check out the Russian gun and some of the horse stuff on the wall.